From her balcony at Cair Paravel, Susan can look straight down and see the merfolk world, and it's so different from world on land that it's a never-ending wonder.

Her favorite time to watch is in the afternoon, when the mermaids gather for a sporting match -- she's not sure what they're playing, but it's very exciting, with flying shells and seahorses darting in and out amongst the mermaids swimming rapidly on either side, and the watching crowds sounding conch shells in celebration, and every time she watches, she wishes she could join them.

So when a mermaid surfaces one day, smiling and holding out her hand, Susan doesn't hesitate, shrugging her dress off and letting it pool on the floor, climbing over the balcony and diving straight down into the waiting sea.